The PS5 Slim has officially replaced the original version of Sony’s latest-gen games console. The lean yet equally as mean system hasn’t actually had a name change – Sony is sticking with “PlayStation 5” – but there are some notable under-the-hood upgrades that set this new version apart.
If you already own a vanilla PS5, is this new one worth an upgrade? Or is it simply a facelift and you’ll be better off saving your pennies for the PS5 Pro and its more powerful GPU? Let’s compare to find out.
Design & features: slim when you’re winning
Sony hasn’t sped up its hardware for the new, slimmer PS5. It’s just as powerful as the original console, comes with the same DualSense controller, and still plays nicely with the PlayStation Portal handheld. PSVR 2 headsets work as intended, too.
The most notable difference between the new PS5 and the old one won’t come as a shocker. The new PS5 is slimmer, smaller and lighter, whether you go for the version with a disc drive, or the Digital Edition console.
While the overall look of the new PS5 hasn’t changed much, we’re grateful for the trim. The original PS5 was shamed for its bulky size on release, and rightly so. It tipped the scales at 4.5kg, measured a massive 390x260x104mm, and had two protruding white panels that made the console look like a vertical Sydney Opera House.
The new PS5 with disc drive has seen its volume shrink by more than 30%, so it now measures 358x216x96mm and weighs a more manageable 3.2kg – roughly 18-24% lighter than before, depending on external parts. The inbound PS5 Pro is equally as wide, but is as tall as the original PS5, so sits somewhere between the two versions.
Storage is locked at 1TB, for both versions of the PS5 Slim. You can still add extra capacity later with an M.2 SSD.
The Digital Edition model may not have a disc drive from the factory, but it now has an option to add an attachable Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive after purchase. Pairing the device with your PS5 upon installation requires an internet connection.
Price: no official reduction
Usually console manufacturers manage to find enough ways to cut costs with their mid-life refreshes that they’re able to pass on some of those savings to the customers. Unfortunately for PlayStation fans, Sony hasn’t officially reduced the price of the new, slimmer PS5. That means you’ll still need to pay $500/£480 for the full-fat edition, or $450/£390 for the Digital Edition.
The optional Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive will set you back $80/£100. If you have an existing PS5 game library on physical media (or plan on padding out your collection with second-hand discs) you’ll save money in the long run by buying the version with a disc drive already included.
Covers: colour me interested
The new PS5 is now wrapped in four separate cover panels. The top portions have a glossy look to them, while the bottom ones remain in matte. They pop off easily enough to add the optional disc drive to the Digital Edition, but also add a new way to customise the console.
A range of official coloured covers, including an all-matte black, volcanic red, cobalt blue, and sterling silver, are available from $54.99/£44.99/€54.99. More colours are apparently planned for the future.
Interestingly, Sony hasn’t managed to add native support for its new PlayStation Link wireless audio tech to the the PS5 Slim – meaning you’ll need to give up a USB port to plug in a dongle if you want to use either the Pulse Explore or Pule Elite wireless earbuds and headset. The PS5 Slim only has one USB-A port at the rear of the console, so you’re then out of luck if you want to add extra accessories.
Stand: go vertical (for a price)
The stand that shipped with the OG PS5 was a little flimsy, given the console cost upwards of $500/£500 (and that’s not counting the ludicrous prices units were changing hands for at the height of the pandemic-related stock shortages), Little more than a plastic disc, it does the job of holding up your PS5 vertically, but isn’t too reassuring. Sony has given it a rethink for the new PS5.
Both new PS5 models come with a primitive horizontal stand in the box, but the new, upgraded vertical stand will now cost you extra.
The stand has a metallic silver disc around the base…and that’s about it, really. At $29.99/£24.99/€29.99, it seems a little tight on Sony’s part to charge extra for the luxury of placing its console vertically – even if it has a metallic silver finish around the base, which is a little easier on the eyes.
Verdict
Even though it didn’t come with a much-needed price cut, the redesigned PS5 is still a welcome improvement over the original, which is undeniably huge. We’re not exactly thrilled that Sony has decided to charge for a pretty basic vertical stand, but at least they’re not hiking the price of the console itself.
Existing PS5 owners don’t need to worry about upgrading, as there haven’t been any performance improvements. If you’ve waited this long to pick one up, though, now is the time. The PS5 Slim will slot into your home cinema setup a lot easier, and doesn’t demand a ridiculous price premium like the PS5 Pro.